Glue ear and bacteria

Deafness Research UK is supporting an investigation into the possibility that bacteria not only cause persistent or recurrent glue ear, but can also lead to the rare complications of glue ear, such as nerve damage, causing permanent deafness or damage to the tiny bones in the ear that transmit sound vibrations.

[2006-2008]

It is not known why glue ear persists and recurs in some children and current surgical treatments do not prevent these rare complications.

This investigation, by Professor John Birchall, from the ENT Department of Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham, could lead to new medical treatments that will not only remedy glue ear but prevent further damage to hearing.

The team will be investigating the possibility that the bacteria that cause glue ear exist in a relatively inactive state in the ear that would make them very hard to detect and to treat with antibiotics. They will also investigate whether these bacteria produce harmful substances that breakdown the normal structures of the ear, leading to the complications described above.

If this is indeed the case, it is hoped that new treatments that are currently being developed in other branches of medicine to target bacteria in slow growing states could also be used to treat glue ear. This may also remove the need for surgery to insert grommets that is currently used to treat the condition.